White House: Obama, Clinton Lunch 'Chiefly Social'

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had lunch with the president Monday – and is slated to have breakfast Tuesday with the vice president, according to reports.

The White House declared Clinton's private lunch with President Barack Obama was "chiefly social," and spokesman Josh Earnest downplayed speculation that the topic of her succeeding Obama was on the agenda, The Hill reported.

"Despite the intense media interest, 2016 is something that is quite a bit away," Earnest said, emphasizing the friendship between Clinton and Obama was expected to dominate the meeting.

Earnest conceded it was likely, however, that Obama and the former secretary of state would discuss recent developments in the Middle East, including newly scheduled Israel-Palestine peace talks.

Biden will play host Tuesday morning for breakfast with Clinton at the Naval Observatory, the vice president's official residence, the Washington Post reported, citing aides for Biden and Clinton.

Both Biden and Clinton served together in the Senate, and ran for president in 2008, losing to Obama. And both are seen as a possible 2016 Democratic nominee.

Public Policy Polling released a poll last Friday showing Clinton commanding 52 percent of those surveyed, followed by Biden, with 13 percent.